Below Average
#7924 of 9,533 schools in CA
Merced High
High School · Merced Union High
PO Box 2167, Merced, CA 95344
Enrollment
1,951
Student-Teacher
23.2:1
Score
4.8
Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
1,951
Student-Teacher
23.2:1
Score
4.8
Grades
9th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Merced
#29 of 37
public schools
California high schools
#1,679 of 1,892
In district
#7 of 9
Merced Union High
About Merced High
Merced High serves 1,951 students in grades 9-12 as a comprehensive public high school in Merced, California. With 84 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains a student-teacher ratio of 23.2 to 1, providing educational services to a substantial student body in this Central Valley community. Academically, Merced High faces challenges with room for growth in student achievement.
The school ranks in the 28th percentile among California high schools, with 43% of students demonstrating proficiency in English Language Arts while math proficiency stands at 11% across grade levels. These results indicate significant opportunities for academic improvement and suggest the school is working to strengthen its instructional programs to better serve its large student population. As one of the larger high schools in the region, Merced High plays an important role in the local educational landscape, serving families throughout the Merced area.
The school's substantial enrollment reflects its position as a central educational institution for teenagers in this growing Central Valley community, where educators and administrators continue working to enhance academic outcomes for all students. The campus operates within Merced's small city environment, providing students with both educational opportunities and connections to their local Central Valley community.
What Parents Should Know
The student-teacher ratio at Merced High is 23.2:1, which is higher than the national average. This may mean larger class sizes, so parents should ask about classroom support, teaching assistants, and how the school differentiates instruction for students who need extra help.
Score Breakdown
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Merced High — Students at Merced High score 27% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 31%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
76.9%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)
Based on 8 test records from CA state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↓ DecliningAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.
Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 5.8/10.
How Merced High Compares
See how Merced High performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 19% (2019) to 11.4% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 46% (2019) to 42.92% (2024).
Location
PO Box 2167, Merced, CA 95344
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Merced High may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Sequoia High (rated 7.0/10, 1.5 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Come Back Charter (rated 6.6/10, 0.8 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Yosemite High (Continuation) (rated 5.5/10, 1.4 miles away), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Merced, see our Merced schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 2.0 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| STONE RIDGE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Merced | 0.5 mi | 6.5 |
| Come Back Charter Merced | 0.8 mi | 6.6 |
| John Muir Elementary Merced | 0.8 mi | 4.8 |
| Luther Burbank Elementary Merced | 0.7 mi | 3.4 |
| Rudolph Rivera Middle Merced | 0.7 mi | 4.9 |
| Rudolph Rivera Elementary Merced | 0.7 mi | 4.2 |
| Allan Peterson Elementary Merced | 0.9 mi | 3.6 |
| Herbert Hoover Middle Merced | 1.2 mi | 4.9 |
| John C. Fremont Elementary Merced | 1.2 mi | 4.7 |
| Yosemite High (Continuation) Merced | 1.4 mi | 5.5 |
| Independence High (Alternative) Merced | 1.4 mi | 4.9 |
| Sequoia High Merced | 1.5 mi | 7.0 |
| Herbert H. Cruickshank Middle Merced | 1.4 mi | 4.9 |
| Merced City School District Community Day Merced | 1.4 mi | 2.4 |
| Donn B. Chenoweth Elementary Merced | 1.3 mi | 3.9 |
| Our Lady of Mercy Merced | 1.5 mi | — |
| Ada Givens Elementary Merced | 1.5 mi | 5.1 |
| Charles Wright Elementary Merced | 1.7 mi | 5.4 |
| Merced County Special Education Merced | 1.8 mi | 6.3 |
| Don Stowell Elementary Merced | 2.0 mi | 4.9 |
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| ARCHBISHOP MITTY HIGH SCHOOL San Jose, CA | 4.8 |
| Centennial High Bakersfield, CA | 4.8 |
| El Camino Fundamental High Sacramento, CA | 4.8 |
| El Capitan High Merced, CA | 4.8 |
| Foothill High Sacramento, CA | 4.8 |
| Indian Springs High San Bernardino, CA | 4.8 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Merced High
What grades does Merced High serve?
Merced High serves students in grades 9th through 12th.
How many students attend Merced High?
Merced High has an enrollment of approximately 1,951 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Merced High?
The student-teacher ratio at Merced High is 23.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Merced High rank in CA?
Merced High is ranked #7924 out of 9,533 schools in CA.
What is Merced High's MySchoolScout rating?
Merced High has a composite rating of 4.8 out of 10 on MySchoolScout. This score combines academic performance, student growth, and school environment into a single score. Equity data is shown separately for context.
What are the test scores at Merced High?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Merced High has 15.5% math proficiency and 44.7% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Merced High a charter school?
No, Merced High is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Merced High a Title I school?
No, Merced High is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Merced High?
76.9% of students at Merced High qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 9th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 1,951
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 23.2:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 84
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 76.9%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Small City
- County
- Merced County
- Phone
- (209) 325-1000
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Merced Union High- District Enrollment
- 11,120
- Schools in District
- 9
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $16,578
- District Rank
- #7 of 9
Other Schools in This District
How We Rate Schools
Every school receives a composite score from 1 to 10 based on four pillars: Academic Performance (50%), Student Growth (20%), Equity (15%), and Learning Environment (15%). Scores are built from publicly available data including standardized test results, enrollment figures, and school climate indicators.
Read our full methodologyRelated reading
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